President Ahmadinejad of Iran tried yesterday to dismiss the American
diplomatic cables divulged by WikiLeaks as US “mischief” aimed at
destabilising an already volatile region.

But the revelations about Iran’s growing influence, and the extent of
belligerence from the Arab world towards the regime in Tehran, could deepen
divides between countries in the area and alienate leaders from their
people, analysts across the Middle East warned.

“These documents are prepared and released by the US Government in a planned
manner and in pursuance of an aim. It is part of an intelligence warfare and
will not have their desired political